As we look forward to planning our vacation for the springtime, I cant help but reminisce about our travel a few years ago to beautiful Kobenhavn. Last night, as I lay in bed, I tried to piece back the memories of the vacation past, but was a little saddened to discover that try as I may, the chronology was lost to remote corners of my memory.
This morning, I went to take a closer look at the pictures from the trip, and then it all came back in bits and pieces, as I put it down here, more so to reread when I feel like it, I guess.

I remember the lovely flight from Reykjavik to Kobenhavn. Even more lovely, we had people to welcome us at Kobenhavn. Scotts parents, Mones and Elsabeth were at the airport. I should say that their family did make our vacation all the more special and personal, right down to the amazing lunch they made for us, which we tried to repay with a homemade dinner later in the week. It was such a complete vacation in that sense, to meet and spend time with friends and family, even if it was your first trip.

Wonderful Kobenhavn.. we arrived tired and jetlagged, the crisp winter wind not being too friendly, but we had little time to sit or sleep. A quick trip to our rooms to dump luggage, then off we went from Radhusplassen on our magical journey through a fairy tale land.

We walked through the pedestrian walking street Strojkt, gazing and marveling at the open piazzas. A quick dinner of falafel & hotdogs on the street, and then back our rooms we went, to prep for an early morning.

With the morning came a wonderful breakfast, then a walk through the wintry streets. We crossed the orange roofs, coated with snow, the parliament house, and on until we got to NyHavn, the harbor to see the brightly colored houses and the trademark anchor coated with snow, again.

It was freezing, and we deserved a treat. And what other one better than Marzipan chocolates? Marzipan is like our very own Kaju Katli, only made with Almonds. We feasted on a few, then went on to see the Malmokierke, the marble church. We had picked to a little Danish vocabulary by then, Kierke - Church, Gede - Street etc.

Then on we went towards the harbor to see Amalienborg castle, the queens residence. We passed the geiphon, the imitation statue of David, then reached Amelienborg, in time for the royal changing of the guard, A tradition like at Buckingham. As luck would have it, we got a glimpse of the queen herself, as she drove though the castle gates.

Then off again we went to the harbor to get a glimpse of "Den Lille Haffrue", the little mermaid on a solitary rock. We were not even able to spend fifteen minutes with the diminutive statue, as the wind bit us from all sides and pushed us to move on. And so we did to get tea and snacks at a little place with Henrik, Mones's first son before heading out to get dinner at Mones's place.

More in the next post..

Fall..

It is indeed surprising and incomprehensible how four years have gone by in the wink of an eye.. I still vividly remember that crisp afternoon in August when I set foot in this country that I have grown to love. So many seasons, so many memories. Time goes by slowly as the minutes slip past and gallops through the days and weeks.

It has been an interesting few months, with weekends bringing new news and headlines, lots of joy and cheer and a few very sobering moments as well. Through all of it, i feel a renewed sense of faith, a sense of hope and love in the world that surrounds me, the people i know and the forces that i believe in. Human life thrives on hope, and it is the same hope I live by as well.

I have been listening to Bhaja Govindam, one of my favorite religious songs of all time composed by Adi Shankara and sung by M.Subbulakshmi. I do not know if it is her divine voice or the touching meaning of the song, which almost anybody can relate to, but it always calms me and gives me inner peace.

Some of the profoundly deep things that the song suggests are truly beyond religion. They touch on the true nature and meaning of life. I bet every one has felt in some way or the other.

The song suggests that the world we live in is an illusion, and that we have to look harder to understand the true meaning of live. When are people remembered? when do they live on? The people we remember the most are the ones that influence us in some way or the other. The Hindu concept of a chain of rebirth is based on the same idea. To break the chain, one has to attain true knowledge of "Brahman". I can certainly not give proof of rebirth, but I can say for sure that to attain permanence in this life, we have to do something that touches people in one way or more. A writer or a movie maker makes the future generations think. A political reformer paves way for a different way of life. A mother imparts to her children not just her love, but also a sense of morality she lives by.

We knowingly or unknowingly touch so many peoples lives as we go through the course of our own. We can only think about how we can make all those contacts positive, even though they may not always be. We also need to learn to be content with what comes through actions already performed in the past, they cannot be altered, much as we would like them to be.

The song tells us that the life of man is as uncertain as rain drops on a lotus leaf. The whole world remains a prey to disease, ego and grief. We do not know who our wife or son really is. Strange is this samsara. Who are we? Where have we come from?

We are born again, we die again, and are born again to stay in the mother's womb. It is indeed hard to cross this boundless ocean of samsara. Through this endless cycle, we just need to guide ourselves with our inner consciousness or god, to make all our influences positive and all memories happy. It is not an ordinary effort, but it is definitely one we should try to make..

It's tax season yet again, and I can't believe I'm filling my fourth years' tax return.. where did the days go? It seems like just yesterday, my first delighted look at Boston, the first few Malden days, tiny apartment rooms, student life littered with studies, outings and new friendships. A handful of people to call friends after the two and a half wonderful years.  At which point did we all really connect? Was it over the cups of coffee, the walks through the alleys on the way to work shifts? weekends? over assignments in the library? Somewhere along the way to the riverbank watching the sailboats? It is tough to say. Life is delightful in the twists and turns that it abundantly supplies, there is little time to wonder about the road not taken and likewise.

Busy days at work, nights before the TV, visits to the gym time permitting, an evening walk with a friend.. it what life looks like these days; the slow change of the cold winter to a crisp spring.. dewdrops on grass blades and the first cherry blossoms and tulips catch my eye on my morning walk.. I wish I had more time to take it all in, and I resolve to wake up early over the weekend to get a closer glimpse, but somehow sleep invades, and the sun is pretty high up in the sky before I take  a step outside. I am like Mark Twain's Tom however, and Saturday morning is always pure delight, be it early or late.   

New york, New york, my home away from home, is also readily accessible, and I love the walks down the streets, especially the busy crossings where the road seems to extend to the horizon. 

I plan meticulously on fridays, for a busy weekend with several options for self entertainment; and then end up executing exactly half of the plan. Yet the best weekends are the ones that spring surprises on you with no warning whatsoever. Will this be one of those weekends? I wonder.. 

Vacations..

It was a long pending trip, and I had looked forward to it months ahead, starting with all the shopping, the tickets and the packing. On that bright winter evening, as I drove to the airport, I felt the usual paranoia kick in; thoughts about forgotten keys and passports abound. A long flight later I landed at the Chennai airport past midnight, and then made the surreal walk to the domestic airport alone.

The domestic airport was deserted, save for a few sleeping families and a few people intently watching Sania Mirza play on the overhead television. I took my seat near the gate after an early security check and watched several flights take off before my flight was announced.

A shuttle ride to the tarmac and then an early morning flight over a lush green landscape littered with coconut trees; before I realized it I had landed in the town of Madurai, filled with excitement at the prospect of seeing my mom and dad at the gates and witnessing my best friends' wedding (Hence the domestic flight).

Hugs, laughter and a few exited conversations later, we rushed to the hotel room so expressly arranged by my friends parents, to change. A small search for the "Theppakulam" ensued, and I found myself waving to Sathish outside the wedding hall. 

Meeting my friend, the bride, their families, waving to the bridegroom (also my friend) as he smiled nervously back, trying to make sense of the Tamil conversation and speeches over the omnipresent din & commotion so typical of Indian marriages, I saw my friends getting married. Even as a spectator nervousness claimed me, so I guess it must have been the same for them. The true beauty of an Indian wedding can only be felt, it is simply too hard to explain the myriad emotions, the sheer love and support provided by a family that bonds even closer as it unites in these joyous times. I was only too happy to have made it and to watch with my parents.

Jet lag finally took its toll right after, and I simply wanted to go home. And so we did, after a gruelling car ride over the pothole filled highways. I slept blissfully and dreamlessly after a long long time.

The week that ensued was the most tranquil and idyllic times after several years of my life, reminiscent of annual holidays over sunny summers. I had nothing to do, save for "conferences" with mom and grandma, read two books a day, or simply lie back and watch the fan spin as i thought about days past. The parrots were still around the coconut trees behind the gopurams, the river had  a trickle of water, and the street looked the same except for the extra storeys in peoples homes.

Another week, two more weddings, my parents' 60th birthday wedding, myriad sarees, hopping sprees, a trip to Salem for a cousins wedding, a couple of days squeezed in between to meet Ambu; so many things to do, so little time. My cousins were able to make it to my grandparents place this time when I was around. We were able to get some quality time together, reminisce about our joyful childhood days and chat late into the night the way only granddaughters could with a grandmother. Me and my cousin slept like children again, next to each other. Somehow to our grandparents, no matter how old we are, we are always, and will always remain the children of the house.

Time flew by, and it was time to come back. Usually with the ones closest to us, we hardly realize what a difference their presence makes until it is time for a separation. It was tough, saying goodbye to a mom and dad who had marked their calendars to watch for my arrival months ago, and were upset, net never shed a tear for fear of upsetting me at the last minute. In that one second at the airport, I saw true love. And for that one minute, I did not want to come back. Maybe separation is the greatest gift god can give us, it is when we are apart do we realize the true importance of things we overlook when we are together.

I'm back to the usual hustle and flow of life now, yet keep looking back to those three blissful weeks when time stood still, yet inexplicably sped by before we could notice...I relive the time in my thoughts alone.

Ruminating..

It's almost midnight, and here I am back again, typing at my little PC that I have grown to love. I shopped as did a million others here, on black Friday, taking advantage of the sales that retailers put out to prevent a gloomy year end forecast. This year, I did something intrinsically different, I went towards the Christmas aisle, shopping for a tree. Call it the living alone crisis. I have become bored not celebrating festivals at all, doing the same thing over and over, that I felt this time I needed my Navarathri or Karthigai (which by the way seems to be tomorrow, coincidence?) fix for myself. Hence the tree, complete with tinsel, lights and glass ornaments. The last time we had a tree was about ten years ago or more, me and my cousins being whimsical as ever, making a makeshift tree out of tropical evergreens (as they all are) and homemade ornaments. I still remember our presents under the tree (towels with Huey, Dewey and Louie on them).

I have always loved Christmas trees, and I am still pretty proud, and keep looking up at the shimmering lights. Strangely, the tree makes me feel more at home, keeping me company, as a puppy might be.

These days I feel lonely, content, depressed yet satisfied all at the same time. I can't help but wonder why is it so difficult for people to give others a chance at their own life. Everyone has their own two pence of ideas, given any topic, whether the other person needs it or not. This is so connected to our culture, which is why I love to hate it at times. I sometimes love my disconnect and revel in it as often as I do feel it and get that invariable urge to pick up the phone and call somebody or keep my T.V. on for company's sake and remain sleepless until early into the next day.

Culture, society, rules.. why do they matter? why do we care? I can keep up with anything, as long as it does not interfere my lifestyle. The moment it does, I do not like it anymore. I am happy with not knowing who my neighbors are, yet smiling and wishing them good morning, or holding the door open for them. I love hanging out with friends, as they don't tell me what to do with my life. It is my own to live. I just hope and wish that we (including me) learn to accept things as they are, and not want things to change for us, unless it involves us and only us. Then I guess it is a different story.

SanDiego..

Last week I made yet another journey to the west coast, which I am falling in love with. California has a sweet charm of its own, so different from whats out here in the East; Laid back people, the palm trees, great weather, scenic vistas & pretty Spanish names, whats not to love? It really feels like vacationland, so much that it makes me wonder, how do people ever get work done?

This time the trip was preceded by moments of anxiety as I made my way into sunny Mexico, across the bridge to get that visa stamp on my passport. What if they needed more documentation, I kept thinking. But all was well, and a glimpse of Tijuana later, I was back in the mainland. We visited the Sea world and the other usual tourist spots spread all around the city map. I loved Old Town as well, as it reminded me of the village houses back home & I adored the mesmerizing display of craft work. The seaport village was nice too, with its paved roads and boardwalk offering a nice view of the bay bridge (not the big red one) and Coronado island. The lunches and dinners were great too, thanks to the culinary expertise of the Gaslamp's many restaurants. In short, it was great fun. It made me think about how fast time flies. To think I was in San Diego this time last week.

Diwali is coming up, and it makes me wonder what lies in store for the day. It has been four years since the last one I enjoyed with family. Why is it that we Hindus celebrate Lord Krishna killing Narakasura as our best festival of the year? Shouldn't Pongal, the harvest festival account for more? but it never did, somehow. Diwalis in India would mean a bountiful feast, lots of 'bakshanams' (ghee filled sweets and savories) , a time when you could consume the sweets before they were ceremoniously offered to Gods unlike the other festivals, firecrackers galore, TV shows, new movies, meeting friends, grandmas house in the evening with cousins... Diwali was always a happy time.

Last year's Diwali was memorable. It was Diwali, the American way. Potluck lunch, lots of variety, a day to wear traditional costumes, poker and a movie. In short, a good weekend with added surprises. Will we have half a good time this year, with all of us staying so far apart? I wonder.. and I hope and pray..

So here you are, probably bemused by the color change, or you must have guessed by now.. This is October, the month of Halloween, the hallmark of a fall harvest, the time to make the trip to the mountains to view the lovely colors of fall in resplendent display, go pick apples as I have done time and again in the crisp New England air. October is also National Breast cancer awareness month, a month to take a few minutes to visit your physician for an examination if you are a woman like me, or to encourage someone you know to do it instead of being lazy.

Time magazine had its cover story dedicated to Breast cancer awareness this week, and it took me by surprise that one in every eight women will be diagnosed with Breast cancer this year. The full story can be viewed
here. It also stunned me to see that the highest incidence of cases was here in the US and the highest number of deaths due to breast cancer were in my home country. Yet, upon reflection, over the last few years, we have seen it happening several times to someone near and dear.

Cancer, unlike many other diseases cannot be totally prevented. Genetics do play an important factor, but its likelihood of occurrence or its potency can be reduced with a few simple measures:

1. Learning how to do a good examination, is very important. With the ubiquitousness of you tube and Google video that brings home several funny clips on demand, also comes the added advantage of seeing and leaning how to do an exam decently. If you haven't' already, do take the time check out the videos.

2. Get yourself an ashtray; a nice expensive crystal one. and extinguish that cigarette once and for all. Smoking is a known carcinogen. But well, if you are a smoker, heart disease is more likely to come and claim you in a New York Minute.

3. Lifestyle changes. A good balanced diet and a moderate amount of exercise will not only keep your arteries unclogged , but also help with other bonuses. Thirty extra minutes of walking five days a week can help in ways unimaginable.

A few simple steps can one day save you or a loved one. So do remember to schedule time in your calendar to make the trip to your doctor's office. Visit the official site for more information.